John "J.T." Tillman Stephens, Jr

J.T. Stephens, 87, formerly of Carlsbad, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013 at Eatern New Mexico Medical Center, Roswell, New Mexico. Visitation will be 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Tuesday, April 30, 2013 Graveside services are scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2013, 11:00 AM, at Sunset Gardens Memorial Park with Pastor Bob Bacon officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Gardens, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. J.T. was born on February 14, 1926, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to John Tillman and Mary Kate (Lowrance) Stephens. He moved to Carlsbad as a young boy and graduated from Carlsbad High School. J.T. served his country in the US Navy during World War II. After the service he went to work for PCA. J.T. married Berna Deen Parks September 28, 1950 here in Carlsbad. He retired from the Potash Mines after 40 years of service. J.T. and Berna Deen moved to Roswell in 2008 to be close to family. He enjoyed work with the Gideon's and Bill Glass Prison Ministries. J.T. was member of the La Huerta Water Co-op, International Baptist Bible Institute, where J.T. served on both boards and also served on the board of St. Francis Hospital. T.J. was a long time member of the First Baptist Church. He had a fondness for Tennessee Walker Horses which he raised over 30 years and always enjoyed fishing. Survivors are his wife: Berna Deen Stephens; sisters: Mary Lois Scholle of Paradise, Louisiana, Kathryn Rumbaugh of Roswell, New Mexico, Pat Bush of Roswell, New Mexico and numerous neices and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Berna Deen Stephens Scholorship Fund c/o First Baptist Church, 112 N. Alameda Carlsbad, New Mexico, 88220 or Gideons International P.O. Box 391 Carlsbad, New Mexico 88221. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.